Author: staff reporter

by Maximilla Wafula

Today Naivas Supermarket launched its annual Festive Season Campaign referred
to as Kikwetu. This year’s Kikwetu is the 12th edition since its inception in 2011.

Over the years, the retailer has endeavored to remain authentically Kenyan while delivering
memorable experiences to customers through thematic campaigns during the festive season and this year is not any different. This is the first festive season where Kenyans can host events and congregate with loved ones without any restrictions whatsoever since 2019 and to top it all we have the Fifa World Cup 2022, a major sporting event that drives global excitement and you can bet that
this year’s Kikwetu is going to be bigger and better!

The campaign this year is dubbed “Team Naivas” with the tagline being “You Will Never Kula Choma A lone”. The campaign this year is also phased out and today we go to market with the first phase,
“Kikombe Kikwetu” which pays homage to a global football event. Both phases of the Team Naivas Campaign will be unified by the clarion call “Kila Mkenya Ni Mshindi” because we truly believe
everyone deserves a win, especially with the economic hardships ravaging Kenyans.

The campaign, as has been in the past, is anchored on the Naivas Reward Card program. Naivas has committed hundreds of millions to ensure Kenyans have a jolly festive season by offering marketing-
leading sales promotions throughout the entire campaign which will be enjoyed by every Naivas
shopper.

Further to sales promotions which are open to all, Naivas Reward Card holders stand a
chance to win gift vouchers each worth Kshs. 2, 000 and the iconic Naivas Mbuzis every time they
shop while still earning their points. You can register for the Naivas Reward Card any time at any of
the branches’ Customer Service desks and all you need is your national I.D.

This year, we are excited to welcome on board VISA and Coca-Cola through Coca-Cola Beverages
Africa who are official World Cup Sponsors and area broadening our pool of offerings. Through VISA
shoppers get to win gift vouchers each time they tap to pay with their branded visa card. From Coca-
Cola Beverages Africa there will be fifteen 65” Hisense TVs up for grabs by Naivas Reward Card
holders who also purchase 22lt, 1.252lt Multipack or 6-pack can of either Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite of
Fanta.

“ We are pleased to be a part of the 12th Annual Kikwetu Festive Campaign with Team Naivas.Coca-
Cola Beverages Africa ambition is to refresh Africa every day.This festive season is an opportune time
where we can live up to our purpose and give our consumers something exciting to look forward to.

As a sponsor in the 12th Kikwetu Campaign, we will be rewarding lucky Naivas Customers a magical
opportunity to win 15 65′ TVs. We believe the Prizes are extremely befitting given the season, with all
eyes glued on screens and people coming together during the biggest football sporting event of the
year! We look forward to creating mini stadiums at home. Along with Team Naivas, we believe that
everybody deserves to win and believing is magic! “ Said Miriam Mutyanziu, National Key Accounts
Manager Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.
“Despite the hard economic times, Kenyans have remained resilient and cautious optimism rings in
the air as we have bid goodbye to the COVID- 19 restrictions, the electioneering period and the school calendar will go back to normal in the new year. As a business, we have remained committed
to our mantra that says we exist to make other people’s lives better and the festive season provides
us with another opportunity of doing exactly that.

We are exceptionally excited because we have
kicked off the campaign earlier compared to the previous years thus giving shoppers reprieve for longer,” said Peter Mukuha, Naivas Chief of Operations.
“ We promise all our shoppers that we have a fantastic and exciting festive season planned and for
the 13 weeks they will enjoy sales promotions thanks to the support from our partners, who have seen to it that our customers enjoy great value across all categories ranging from fresh produce,
groceries, non-food FMCG products, general merchandiser and eleven electronics and home
appliances, concluded Peter Mukuha.
Ends ..

On Friday the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of East Africa Community (EAC), Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) & Regional Development, Rebecca Miano, MBS participated in the Ministry’s handover ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Nairobi.

In attendance was the immediate former Acting Cabinet Secretary for EAC & Regional Development, Betty Maina and the immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizens and Special Programmes, Prof. Margaret Kobia.

During the ceremony, the former CS Betty Maina handed over the EAC & Regional Development dockets while Prof. Margaret Kobia handed over the ASAL docket to CS Rebecca Miano.

by Ronald Njoroge

Debt Holding system has launched in Kenya and has vowed to revolutionize the local industry.

Jeremiah Kayago, CEO East Africa Debt Holding system said in Nairobi that they intend to inject and develop professional debt collection practices in Kenya.

“Our goal is to reduce the level of toxic assets in Kenya’s financial institutions,” Kayago said.

East Africa Debt Holding is part of Debt Holding Group, an international network of professional collection agencies headquatered in UAE-Dubai.

Nikolay Melnikov founder and group CEO Debt Holding Group said that his company will improve the reputation of the industry in Kenya.

“We want to take away unfair debt collection companies that harass when collecting money owned,” Melnikov noted.

By Njeri Irungu

The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan, sent a message of congratulations to H.E Mr. Ulf Kristersson, following his appointment as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden.

In his message, President Ramkalawan, stated: “Your appointment as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden, the Government and the People of Seychelles join me in extending our most sincere and warmest congratulations. It is my hope that, during your tenure of office, we can further strengthen our bilateral cooperation and friendship for the mutual benefit of our two countries.”

“I take this opportunity to wish you every success in the discharge of your duties” conveyed the President.

Atheists have called for equality in Kenya among those who believe and God and those who don’t.

Harrison Mumia President Atheists in Kenya Society said that is a nation of people with diverse religious beliefs.

“We are concerned that the current government seems to privilege Christianity against all the other religions,” Mumia said.

” We expect atheists to be invited to all government functions where religious organizations are represented,” he added.

He also called upon the CBC committe to abolish CRE, IRE and HRE in our education curriculum.

Kenya has launched a mobile application that sees to boost the participation of youth in elections.

Ngatia Muhoya CEO of Badilico said that the app seeks to improve the interest of youth in elections through use of an gaming format.

“Youths have been ignored for that long time and Badilico will change that,” Muhoya said.

Muhoya urged youths should come out and run for political positions.

Also in attendance was Karen Ward MCA Hon. Antony Maragu and Maina Karobia UDA Youth Leader .

by Maximilla Wafula

The Deputy Director of Climate Change Negotiations and Finance|Climate Change Directorate
Ministry of Environment and Forestry
​Michael Ochieng’ Okumu
on behalf of principal secretary, environment and forestry Dr. Chris Kiptoo, CBS , today launched the First electric mass transit bus operation in Kenya by ROAM . He emphasized on the need to cut down greenhouse gas emissions globally due to increase in the intensity and frequency of climate change impacts occasioned by global temperature rise threatening to exceed the threshold 1.5C above pre- industrial levels .Kenya is leading in many ways in addressing climate change by putting place the necessary legal policy and institutional framework for climate action.

Kenya has chosen the low emission climate resilient development to contribute to the global emission reduction , Kenya’s National Determine Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCC committed to a 32%GHG emission reduction by 2030 .

Transport sector, which currently accounts for a bout 12%of Kenya’s green house gas emissions and 45% of GHG emissions of Nairobi city is a priority NDC sector for the country. The sectors emissions are projected to rise if nothing is done rapidly. This emission growth dilemma is due to natural population growth and development that increases the demand for transport especially in urban setups like Nairobi city.

Further over , millions of Kenyans living in major cities and towns are directly exposed to toxic emissions, mainly from motor vehicles . Whereby, air pollution causes death and increase illness such as heart condition, respiratory ailments, brain damage and cancer .

The options available to arrest the anticipated emission growth and air pollution impacts include Non- Motorised Transport (NMT) and mass transport options such as Bus Rapid Transport (BRT.), the government has provided the appropriate infrastructure, such as pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes a long all newly constructed urban roads .For Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) , the government is working on providing infrastructure to facilitate the construction of segregated BRT lanes along major commuter routes in Nairobi city at different levels of implementation .

To leverage this , electric mobility such as the one by ROAM Electric that we are launching today , is critical on reducing the carbon footprint of Kenyans commuters , zero emissions buses are, therefore a pivotal add – on to the BRT road infrastructure.

Benefits of this transport option are massive. Noise and air pollution are eliminated. This will make Nairobi be of the healthiest cities to live in on the globe . The electric bus also needs far less servicing , lubrication or maintenance than traditional diesel bus, ensuring uptime is maximised , and maintenance costs are kept too.
County will save up foreign exchange used in importing diesel but utilise local electricity improving national business cash flows .

Today marks a historical event by launching the first fleet of fully electric Rapid Transit Buses by ROAM Electric for contributing to the shift zero an emission public transport system. The buses can carry 77 passengers , both seated and standing, travelling 360 km on a single charge when fully laden . It has priority seating for the elderly and disabled and has a dedicated wheelchair area with an access ramp .
Air conditions is clean and charges directly from the power grid or solar system.
Ends…

By Jeff Kizzilah and Nicholas Manduku

Nairobi West Hospital have launched the first bone Marrow transplant centre in Kenya,kenya joins the Transplant group which include South Africa, Tunisia and Egypt in Africa.

Speaking after the launch Professor Andrew Kanyi ,The Chief Medical Director ,Nairobi West Hospital said that the biggest challenge for most patients has been access to quality affordable health care specialised in Kenya.

He adds that the “Bone Marrow Transplant is an integral part of the Nairobi West hospital,the hospital aim to provide access to bone marrow transplants as a possible cure for patients with complex blood disorders”,

Dr.Kibet Shikuku ,Chief Consultant Pathologist says that the cancer burden is rising globally and that exerting significant strain for a populations health system at all income levels.

The BMT will offer cure in treating blood cancer like Acute myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphocytic leukaemia that is always difficult to treat with conventional therapy in Kenya.

Dr.Guarav Dixit,the Head of Bone marrow Transplant said its now evidence based across the globe and available in kenya to all who may need it a world class facility that can rival many in the west.

by Maximilla Wafula

Group CEO Dr. Githinji gitahi , today led the Nairobi county health review taskforce stakeholders forum held at Hilton garden Inn, in
transforming the Health Sector of Nairobi County.

While addressing, he emphasized that there are existing challenges in the health systems, which must also be identified the possible way solutions to the system bottlenecks and opportunities for achieving universal health coverage in Nairobi County ~ Dr Githinji Gitahi.

Health reforms in Nairobi County has garnered momentum following the hosting of the Nairobi County Health Reforms Stakeholder Engagement Forum. The one- day forum organised by Amref Health Africa, Nairobi County and HENNET brought together over two hundred stakeholders from Nairobi County including NGOs, CSO, youth, community health workers, private sector and the business community, which aimed at highlighting existing gaps in the health sector and reviewing service delivery landscape of Nairobi County, and collectively identifying recommended remedial measures to reforms the sector.

Dr. Githinji Gitahi, the Chairperson of the County Taskforce and Group CEO of Amref Health Africa, pointed out that the team prioritises consultations with various stakeholders in Nairobi County in the quest to improve health systems in the county.

Speaking during the event, Dr Gitahi highlighted that the taskforce needed a unique strategy to accomplish its mandate within the given timelines. “It is not the first time that Nairobi County has established taskforces for health reforms, what we need is to come together and identify what we need refocus on to achieve equitable health services in the face of the changing landscape including effects of health and mitigation and adaptation on climate change”.
He called on Stakeholders to reflect on achieving an enabled and efficient mixed health system that does not distinguish the quality of services offered in public or private hospitals. He said, “while there are existing challenges in the health systems, we must also identify the possible solutions to the system bottlenecks and opportunities for achieving universal health coverage in Nairobi County”.

The Acting County Secretary & Head of public service Dr. Jairus Musumba speaking on behalf of the Governor reiterated that Health is one of the pillars of the county and the taskforce has a responsibility to ensure that the health and wellbeing of the people of Nairobi are upheld. He further called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to boost health care systems through investment, dedication and planning for resources, coordination, oversight, awareness creation and advocacy.
Some of the areas of discussion for the forum included Health infrastructure and facilities, sustainable health financing, strengthening health workforce, health products and technologies, health service delivery, health information and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems; research and development Investments, enacting enabling policies, streamlining the legislative and regulatory environment; improved accountable leadership, governance including intergovernmental relations and stakeholder coordination.

In closing, The group CEO Amref Dr. Githinji gitahi appreciated the Governor – H.E Hon Johnstone Sakaja for making health a political choice and a priority for the people of Nairobi County because this also means choosing socio-economic development of the county. “Nairobi is a metropolitan city, a regional hub, hosts an international airport, is the headquarters of many agencies.

We are, therefore, not only looking at the health of the 4million population living in Nairobi but could be as high as 7 million if you count the people who come to work in the city and leave in the evening,” He said. “This means, health sector reforms will not be limited to the health sector, they have to be included in matters of urban planning, health security, climate, environment, water, food security, nutrition, water and sanitation. The taskforce is expected to share a report to the governor before the end of November 2022.”
ENDS….